Unveiling algaenan metabolism in eukaryotic microalgae

forthcoming

Microalgae are exceptionally rich in essential nutrients such as proteins and fatty acids (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). Their cultivation requires significantly less land and water compared to traditional crops, reducing the strain on these resources. However, accessing the nutrients of eukaryotic microalgae as a food source, particularly from the economically important genera Nannochloropsis and Chlorella, requires substantial resources. These algae are encapsulated by a resilient cell wall composed of a polymer known as algaenan. The development of algaenan-deficient strains or enzymes degrading algaenan to make nutrients accessible, has been hindered severely by the lack of knowledge about algaenan metabolism. In the BreakThrough project, I will team up with Prof. Johan Andersen-Ranberg from the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences of the University of Copenhagen. The goal is to clarify the evolutionary conserved mechanisms underlying the algaenan metabolism throughout the cell cycle, particularly during autospore release. The proposed work involves co-expression analysis, genetic engineering, confocal microscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify and characterize the genes in algaenan metabolism in the eukaryotic microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica. Insights obtained in this project will benefit both fundamental and applied sciences. On the fundamental side, BreakThrough will uncover the biochemical process underlying algaenan anabolism and catabolism. For the applied aspect, the project will improve the use of microalgae as a future food source and biotechnological applications by developing energy-efficient and food safe methods to bypass the recalcitrant algaenan polymer in extraction processes.